Building construction with sloping foundation sill and vertical underpinning

ABSTRACT

A building construction wherein a foundation has a sloping top surface corresponding generally to the slope of the ground in which the foundation is disposed, vertical underpinning extending upwardly relative to the foundation, and a framing anchor securing the lower end of the underpinning to the foundation.

United States Patent [191 Howell BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WITH SLOPING FOUNDATION SILL AND VERTICAL UNDERPINNING [76] Inventor: Venice T. Howell, 1421 Cabrielo Avenue, Burlingarne, Calif. 94010 22 Filed: Aug. 4, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 168,822

Related us. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 43,750, June 5,

1970, abandoned.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1931 An ..52/299 5/1940 Bugenhagen 52/370 [451 Apr. 17, 1973 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Assistant Examiner-James L. Ridggill, Jr. Attorney-Joseph F. Cole ABSTRACT A building construction wherein a foundation has a sloping top surface corresponding generally to the 'slope of the ground in which the foundation is disposed, vertical underpinning extending upwardly relative to the foundation, and a framing anchor securing the lower end of the underpinning to the foundation. 1

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E J W E I U HI -H PATENTED APR (I973 SHEET 0F 4 INVENTQR VENICE T. HOWELL BY ATTORNEY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WITH SLOPING FOUNDATION SILL AND VERTICAL UNDERPINNING CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 43,750, filed in the US. Patent Office on June 5, 1970, now abandoned.

SUMMARY This invention relates to improvements in building construction wherein framing anchors are used to attach wood studs (vertical framing members) to a concrete foundation, which studs are generally referred to as underpinning, and has for its primary purpose the provision of a framing anchor attached to the base or lower end of such studs and to the wood foundation sill, and being so constructed as to allow the studs or underpinning to be supported in a vertical position, while the concrete foundation may be at a variation of angles to the vertical other than perpendicular thereto.

A further object of this invention is to eliminate the necessity of concrete foundation walls with level tops that must be stepped where the ground is sloped.

Another object of this invention is to affect an economy in foundation construction by maintaining a minimum height of concrete above ground, thereby reducing labor and material on concrete, reinforcing steel and wooden concrete framework.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of the invention will be set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a building construction with sloping foundation sill and vertical underpinning made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the framing anchor for securing vertical underpinning to a foundation sill;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with the framing anchor having the shape as made in the factory;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a stamped blank for a modified form of framing anchor;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through a typical tubular projection and its nail hole of the flanges and leg of the modified framing anchor;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the modified framing anchor showing the latter secured to the sloping sill and to the vertical underpinning; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the modified framing anchor with the sill, concrete footing and vertical underpinning being shown by dot-dash lines.

While I have shown only the preferred embodiments of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the first embodiment of my invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, there is disclosed a building construction wherein a foundation indicated generally at A has a sloping top surface 10 correspondinggenerally to the slop of the ground B in which the foundation is disposeduAs illustrated, the foundation defines a concrete footing C having a sloping sill D mounted thereon by the usual anchor bolts 11 (see FIG. 1). Vertical underpinning E extends upwardly relative to the foundation A, and a framing anchor F is used for securing the lower end of the underpinning to the foundation in the manner hereinafter described.

As the specification proceeds, it will be made clear that the framing anchor F is provided with adjustable means whereby the underpinning B may be held in vertical position, even though the top surface 10 of the foundation may be varied in its angleof slope.

In its structural features, the framing anchor F defines a lower inclined plate 12 resting on the top of the sill D and an upper horizontal plate 13 having the lower end of the vertical underpinning E resting thereon. These lower and upper plates of the framing anchor are joined together at one side of the framing anchor by a flexible interconnecting section 14, whereby the lower andupper plates 12 and 13, respectively, may rest against the sill D and underpinning, respectively, and the underpinning may be held in vertical position, even though the sill D may be varied in its angle of slope.

It will be noted that the lower plate 12 and the upper plate 13 are arranged in angular relation with respectto one another, and the framing anchor F is provided on the side thereof opposite the flexible interconnecting section 14 with a leg 15 attached to the lower plate 12, this leg extending upwardly along the vertical underpinning E and being secured to the latter, as hereinafter described. The plates 12 and 13 and the leg 15 define a truss to support the underpinning. The leg 15 may have ribs 16 formed on its lower portion to reinforce the leg just beneath the lower end of the underpinning, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The leg 15 is provided with projections 17 on its inner face that extend toward the underpinning E and made to be hammered into the latter, this leg being factory-made to extend upwardly at an angle away from the underpinning, as shown in FIG. 4, prior to being hammered against the underpinning, whereby the underpinning B may be inserted into the framing anchor F without obstruction by the projections 17. This leg is fashioned with prepunched holes 18 through which nails 19 may be driven into the underpinning, as disclosed in FIG. 1.

Moreover, it will be seen that the lower plate 12 of the framing anchor F is provided with a pair of spaced depending flanges 20 that straddle the sill D and are secured to the latter. Likewise, the upper plate 13 is provided with a pair of spaced upwardly 'rojecting flanges 21 that straddle the vertical IunderpinningE are are secured to the latter.

The depending flanges 20 are provided with projections 22 on their inner faces that extend toward the sill D and are made to be hammered into the latter, these whereby these flanges may be inserted over the sill D without obstructions by the projections 22. Also, the upwardly-projecting flanges 21 on the upper plate 13 are provided with projections 23 on their inner faces that extend toward the underpinning E and are made to be hammered into the latter, these upwardly-projecting flanges being factory-made to diverge upwardly with respect to one another, as disclosed in FIG. 4, prior to be hammered against the underpinning, whereby they may be inserted over the underpinning without obstructions by the projections 23.

The depending flanges 20 are fashioned with prepunched holes 24 through which nails 25 may be driven into the sill D. Likewise, the upwardly-projecting flanges 21 are fashioned with prepunched holes 26 through which nails 27 may be driven into the underpinning E.

The framing anchor F may be made from sheet metaland is installed as follows:

The lower plate 12 of the framing anchor is placed on the upper surface of the sill D so as to rest thereon, and the depending flanges 20 are struck by a hammer and formed inwardly so as to impinge on opposite sides of this sill, with the projections 22 driven into the sill. Then nails 25 are driven through the holes 24 into the sill.

Next, the underpinning E is placed in the framing anchor F so that its lower end will rest on the upper plate 13. The upwardly-projecting flanges 21 are hammered against the underpinning, driving the projections 23 thereinto, and then nails 27 are driven through the holes 26 into the underpinning.

Due to the variation of angles desired between the lower plate 12 and the upper plate 13, it would be seldom found that the underpinning E was in vertical alignment at this point of installation, and this would necessitate exerting a lateral force against the underpinning at point G or H (see FIG. 1), thus causing the framing anchor to bend at the flexible interconnecting section 14 as required to achieve vertical alignment of the underpinning E.

Finally, leg 15 is struck with a hammer and formed into a position against the underpinning E, driving the projections 17 into the underpinning. Then nails 19 are driven through the holes 18 into the underpinning.

Broadly speaking, the sill D may be omitted and the framing anchor F embedded in the top part of the sloping concrete footing.

The subject matters of the improvements contained in this continuation-impart application are illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, inclusive, and generally relate to the modified framing anchor F. However, the cardinal object of this framing anchor remains the same as that of the framing anchor F previously described.

As will be observed from FIG. 7, the sloping sill D is mounted on the concrete footing C by anchor bolts 11, and the underpinning E extends upwardly from the sill, and the footing D extends into the ground B.

The modified framing anchor F is quite similar to the framing anchor F, and like reference numerals have been applied to the corresponding parts.

It will be noted that the upper plate 13 of the framing anchor F' is provided with an upwardly-extending lip 28 at one edge thereof against which the lower end of the vertical underpinning E is abutted as an aid in correctly centering the underpinning relative to the upper plate. Moreover, the sill D is fashioned with a transverse kerf 29 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), and the lower plate 12 of the modified framing anchor F has one or more shear tabs 30 extending downwardly into the kerf to prevent the framing anchor from slipping along the length of the sill D.

Moreover, the upwardly-extending leg 15 has a series of tubular projections 17 on its inner surface that may be hammered into the underpinning E to anchor the leg in place. These projections define holes 18 through which the nails 19 may be driven into the underpinning to secure the leg to the latter.

Also, the depending flanges 20 of the framing anchor F that straddle the sill D have tubular projections 22 on their inner faces that may be hammered into the sill to anchor the lower plate 12 in place, these projections defining holes 24 through which the nails 25 may be driven into the sill to secure these depending flanges to the sill.

In a like manner, the upwardly-projecting flanges 21 on the upper plate 13 that straddle the vertical underpinning E have tubular projections 23' on their inner faces that may be hammered into the underpinning to anchor the upper plate 13 in place, these projections defining holes 26' through which the nails 27 may be driven into the underpinning to secure these flanges to the underpinning.

As clearly disclosed in FIG. 8, the depending flanges 20 as shaped in the factory to diverge downwardly with respect to one another prior to being hammered against the sill, whereby they may be inserted over the sill D without obstruction by the projections 22'. In a like manner, the upwardly-projecting flanges 21 are made in the factory to diverge upwardly with respect to one another prior to being hammered against the underpinning E, whereby they may be inserted over the underpinning without obstruction by the projections 23'.

The projections 17' on the leg 15 may be omitted, if desired, to facilitate stamping of the framing anchor F, and this leg merely fashioned with holes 18 therein to receive the nails 19.

I claim:

1. In a building construction:

a. a foundation having a concrete footing embedded in ground, the footing defining a sloping top surface corresponding generally to the slope of the ground in which the footing is disposed the foundation further having a sloping sill mounted on the footing;

b. vertical underpinning extending upwardly relative to the foundation to support a building structure;

c. a framing anchor securing the lower end of the underpinning to the sill of the foundation;

d. and the framing anchor being provided with adjustable means whereby the underpinning may be held in vertical position, even though the top surface of the foundation may be varied in its angle of slope.

2. The building construction, as set forth in claim 1;

e. and in which the framing anchor defines a lower inclined plate resting on the top of the sill and an upper horizontal plate having the lower end of the vertical underpinning resting thereon.

3. The building construction, as set forth in claim 2;

f. and in which the lower plate of the framing anchor is provided with a pair of spaced depending flanges that straddle the sill and are secured to the latter;

g. the upper plate of the framing anchor being provided with a pair of spaced upwardly-projecting flanges that straddle the vertical underpinning and are secured to the latter;

h. the depending flanges on the lower plate being provided with projections on their inner faces that extend toward the sill and are made to be hammered into the latter, these depending flanges being factory-made to diverge downwardly with respect to one another prior to being hammered against the sill, whereby they may be inserted over the sill without obstruction by these projections;

i. the upwardly-projecting flanges on the upper plate being provided with projections on their inner faces that extend toward the vertical underpinning and are made to be hammered into the latter, these upwardly-projecting flanges being factory-made to diverge upwardly with respect to one another prior to being hammered against the underpinning, whereby they may be inserted over the underpinning without obstruction by these projections.

4. The building construction, as set forth in claim 4;

f. and in which the lower and upper plates of the framing anchor are joined together at one side of the framing anchor by a flexible interconnecting section, whereby the lower and upper plates may rest against the sill and underpinning, respectively, and the underpinning may be held in vertical position, even though the sill may be varied in its angle of slope. a

5. The building construction, as set forth in claim 4;

g. and in whichthe lower and upper plates of the framing anchor are arranged in angular relation with respect to one another, and the framing anchor is provided on the side thereof opposite the flexible interconnecting section with a leg attached to the lower plate, this leg extending upwardly along the vertical underpinning and being secured to the latter, these plates and leg defining a truss to support the underpinning.

6. The building construction, as set forth in claim 5;

h. and in which the leg is provided with projections on its inner face that extend toward the underpinning and are made to be hammered into the latter, this leg being factory-made to extend upwardly at an angle away from the underpinning prior to being hammered against the underpinning, whereby the latter may be inserted into the framing anchor without obstruction by the projections on the leg;

i. the leg being nailed to the underpinning.

7. In a building construction:

a. a concrete footingfoundation having a sloping top surface corresponding generally to the slope of the ground in which the foundation footing is disposed, and a sloping sill mounted on the footwardly-extending lip at one end thereof against 3 which the lower end of the underpinning is abutted as an aid in correctly centering the underpinning relative to the upper plate;

3. the lower and upper plates being joined together at one side of the framing anchor by a flexible interconnecting section, whereby the lower and upper plates may rest against the sill and underpinning, respectively, and the underpinning may be held in vertical position, even though the sill may be varied in its angle of slope.

8. The building construction, as set forth in claim 9;

d. and in which the sill is fashioned with a transverse kerf in its top surface, and the lower plate of the framing anchor has at least one shear tab extending downwardly into the kerf so as to prevent the framing anchor from slipping along the length of the sill.

9. The building construction, as set forth in claim 7;

d. and in which the framing anchor further defines a leg attached to the lower plate on the side thereof opposite to the flexible interconnecting section, this leg extending upwardly along the vertical underpinning and having tubular projections on its inner face that may be hammered into the underpinning to anchor the leg in place, these projections defining holes through which nails may be driven into the underpinning to secure the leg to the latter, the lower and upper plates and the leg defining a truss to support the underpinning.

10. The building construction, as set forth in claim 9;

d. and in which the lower plate of the framing anchor is provided with a pair of spaced depending flanges that straddle the sill, these flanges having tubular projections on their inner faces that may be harnmered into the sill to anchor the lower plate in place, these projections defining holes through which nails may be driven into the sill to secure these flanges to the sill;

e. the upper plate of the framing anchor being provided with a pair of spaced upwardly-projecting flanges that straddle the vertical underpinning, these flanges having tubular projections on their inner faces that may be hammered into the underpinning to anchor the upper plate in place, these projections defining holes through which nails may be driven into the underpinning to secure these flanges to the underpinning. 

1. In a building construction: a. a foundation having a concrete footing embedded in ground, the footing defining a sloping top surface corresponding generally to the slope of the ground in which the footing is disposed , the foundation further having a sloping sill mounted on the footing ; b. vertical underpinning extending upwardly relative to the foundation to support a building structure; c. a framing anchor securing the lower end of the underpinning to the sill of the foundation; d. and the framing anchor being provided with adjustable means whereby the underpinning may be held in vertical position, even though the top surface of the foundation may be varied in its angle of slope.
 2. The building construction, as set forth in claim 1; e. and in which the framing anchor defines a lower inclined plate resting on the top of the sill and an upper horizontal plate having the lower end of the vertical underpinning resting thereon.
 2. the upper plate being provided with an upwardly-extending lip at one end thereof against which the lower end of the underpinning is abutted as an aid in correctly centering the underpinning relative to the upper plate;
 3. The building construction, as set forth in claim 2; f. and in which the lower plate of the framing anchor is provided with a pair of spaced depending flanges that straddle the sill and are secured to the latter; g. the upper plate of the framing anchor being provided with a pair of spaced upwardly-projecting flanges that straddle the vertical underpinning and are secured to the latter; h. the depending flanges on the lower plate being provided with projections on their inner faces that extend toward the sill and are made to be hammered into the latter, these depending flanges being factory-made to diverge downwardly with respect to one another prior to being hammered against the sill, whereby they may be inserted over the sill without obstruction by these projections; i. the upwardly-projecting flanges on the upper plate being provided with projections on their inner faces that extend toward the vertical underpinning and are made to be hammered into the latter, these upwardly-projecting flanges being factory-made to diverge upwardly with respect to one another prior to being hammered against the underpinning, whereby they may be inserted over the underpinning without obstruction by these projections.
 3. the lower and upper plates being joined together at one side of the framing anchor by a flexible interconnecting section, whereby the lower and upper plates may rest against the sill and underpinning, respectively, and the underpinning may be held in vertical position, even though the sill may be varied in its angle of slope.
 4. The building construction, as set forth in claim 4; f. and in which the lower and upper plates of the framing anchor are joined together at one side of the framing anchor by a flexible interconnecting section, whereby the lower and upper plates may rest against the sill and underpinning, respectively, and the underpinning may be held in vertical position, even though the sill may be varied in its angle of slope.
 5. The building construction, as set forth in claim 4; g. and in which the lower and upper plates of the framing anchor are arranged in angular relation with respect to one another, and the framing anchor is provided on the side thereof opposite the flexible interconnecting section with a leg attached to the lower plate, this leg extending upwardly along the vertical underpinninG and being secured to the latter, these plates and leg defining a truss to support the underpinning.
 6. The building construction, as set forth in claim 5; h. and in which the leg is provided with projections on its inner face that extend toward the underpinning and are made to be hammered into the latter, this leg being factory-made to extend upwardly at an angle away from the underpinning prior to being hammered against the underpinning, whereby the latter may be inserted into the framing anchor without obstruction by the projections on the leg; i. the leg being nailed to the underpinning.
 7. In a building construction: a. a concrete footing foundation having a sloping top surface corresponding generally to the slope of the ground in which the foundation footing is disposed, and a sloping sill mounted on the footing; b. vertical underpinning extending upwardly relative to the foundation footing; c. and a framing anchor securing the lower end of the underpinning to the sill, the framing anchor defining:
 8. The building construction, as set forth in claim 9; d. and in which the sill is fashioned with a transverse kerf in its top surface, and the lower plate of the framing anchor has at least one shear tab extending downwardly into the kerf so as to prevent the framing anchor from slipping along the length of the sill.
 9. The building construction, as set forth in claim 7; d. and in which the framing anchor further defines a leg attached to the lower plate on the side thereof opposite to the flexible interconnecting section, this leg extending upwardly along the vertical underpinning and having tubular projections on its inner face that may be hammered into the underpinning to anchor the leg in place, these projections defining holes through which nails may be driven into the underpinning to secure the leg to the latter, the lower and upper plates and the leg defining a truss to support the underpinning.
 10. The building construction, as set forth in claim 9; d. and in which the lower plate of the framing anchor is provided with a pair of spaced depending flanges that straddle the sill, these flanges having tubular projections on their inner faces that may be hammered into the sill to anchor the lower plate in place, these projections defining holes through which nails may be driven into the sill to secure these flanges to the sill; e. the upper plate of the framing anchor being provided with a pair of spaced upwardly-projecting flanges that straddle the vertical underpinning, these flanges having tubular projections on their inner faces that may be hammered into the underpinning to anchor the upper plate in place, these projections defining holes through which nails may be driven into the underpinning to secure these flanges to the underpinning. 